System and method for communicating audio data signals via an audio communications medium

ABSTRACT

A system for communicating audio data signals comprises a source computer that performs an action, generates an event message corresponding to the action, converts the event message into an audio data signal, and communicates the audio data signal through its speaker. A source telephone receives a voice signal from a participant and the audio data signal through its microphone and communicates the audio data signal and voice as coherent sound via an audio communications medium. A recipient telephone receives the audio data signal from the coherent sound communicated via the audio communications medium and communicates the audio data signal via its speaker. A recipient computer receives the audio data signal through its microphone, extracts the event message from the audio data signal, and performs an action based on the event message from the audio data signal. The audio communications medium can comprise a telephone communications system or air.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to communicating audio signals betweencomputer systems. Particularly, the present invention relates tocommunicating via an audio communications medium an audio data signalcomprising data for performing an action.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A number of conventional systems exist that use audio signals totransmit information. Conventional systems for transmitting audiosignals include interactive voice response (“IVR”) systems and systemsthat signal the beginning or end of content segments. Conventional IVRsystems transmit a customer's menu selection to a computerizedreceptionist. For example, the IVR system provides the customer with anelectronic menu to select a desired option. The customer presses atouchtone button to send a touchtone audio signal from the customer'stelephone to the IVR system. The IVR system recognizes the touchtone asa specific menu selection. However, conventional IVR systems involvetransmitting an audio signal between a person (the customer) and acomputer (the IVR system). Accordingly, conventional IVR systems cannottransmit an audio signal between computers. Additionally, in aconventional IVR system, the customer transmits either voice or atouchtone. The customer cannot simultaneously transmit coherent voiceand touchtones, because the touchtones mask or drown out the voice.Furthermore, the conventional touchtones have a pre-assigned meaning.The conventional IVR systems cannot communicate complex data. Thosesystems can only transmit the preset tones.

Conventional systems that use audio signals for the beginning or end ofcontent segments typically comprise radio or television broadcastingsystems or filmstrip systems. In a conventional radio or televisionbroadcasting system, a broadcast entertainment content segment caninclude an audio signal that indicates the end of the entertainmentcontent segment. A computer listens for the audio signal and broadcastsan advertising content segment when it recognizes the “end” audio signalof the entertainment content segment.

In a conventional filmstrip system, a filmstrip viewer device recognizesan audible beep on a cassette tape, which signals the end of the currentslide and the correct time to advance the filmstrip. The filmstripviewer device advances the filmstrip when it recognizes the audiblebeep.

The conventional systems for signaling the beginning or end of contentsegments include several deficiencies. For example, those conventionalsystems are closed systems. Those conventional systems do notcommunicate an audio signal to one or multiple other computer systems tocause those other systems to perform an action. Additionally, theconventional tones or beeps have a pre-assigned meaning. Accordingly,the conventional closed systems cannot communicate complex data. Thosesystems can only transmit the preset tones or beeps.

Another conventional system for transmitting voice and data is an ASVD(analog simultaneous voice and data) modem system. FIG. 13 is a blockdiagram depicting a conventional ASVD method for transmitting voice anddata. As shown in FIG. 13, the system 1300 can transmit voice and databetween locations 1302, 1304. At location 1302, a meeting participantcommunicates voice 1306 to a source telephone 1308. The source telephone1308 transmits an audio stream 1310 of the voice 1306 to a source ASVDmodem 1312.

Simultaneously, a source computer 1314 generates a data stream 1316 andcommunicates the data stream 1316 to the source ASVD modem 1312. Thesource ASVD modem 1312 combines the data stream 1316 and the audiostream 1310, encodes the combined data in digital form, and communicatesthe encoded data through the communications medium 1318 to a recipientASVD modem 1320 at location 1304.

The recipient ASVD modem 1320 decodes the digital data and splits thedata stream 1316 from the audio stream 1310. The recipient ASVD modem1320 transmits the audio 1310 to a recipient telephone 1324. Therecipient telephone 1324 communicates the audio 1310 as the voice 1306via its speaker. The recipient ASVD modem 1320 also communicates thedata stream 1316 to the recipient computer 1330. The recipient computer1330 interprets the data stream 1316 to evaluate the data.

However, the system 1300 requires that each participant at a separatelocation have the required ASVD modem hardware to interpret the encoded,digital data from the source location. The encoded, digital datacommunicated via the communications medium 1318 cannot be interpretedwithout a recipient ASVD modem 1320 to decode the received data.Accordingly, a participant communicating with other locations throughonly a telephone or the air as a communications medium cannot decode theencoded, digital data provided by the source ASVD modem. Additionally,the participant cannot hear the voice 1306 without the ASVD modem todecode the audio stream 1310.

Another method for transmitting voice and data comprises multiplexing.In multiplexing, a multiplexer combines a voice signal and a data signalinto one signal and communicates the combined signal to a demultiplexer.The demultiplexer separates the voice signal and the data signal.However, the combined signal produced by the multiplexer does notcomprise coherent sound and a demultiplexer is required to decipher themultiplexed signals. A person receiving the combined signal cannotunderstand the voice signal without first having a demultiplexerseparate the voice and data signals.

Accordingly, there is need in the art for communicating audio datasignals from a first computer system to a second computer system via anaudio communications medium. A further need exists in the art forsimultaneously communicating voice and audio data signals via a voicecommunication medium. Additionally, a need exists in the art forembedding data in the audio data signal for instructing the recipientcomputer to perform an action based on the data.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention can provide a system and method for sending audiodata signals between remote computers that are not directly connectedthrough a network or other direct connection. A source computer cancommunicate the audio data signals over an audio communications mediumto a recipient computer. The audio communications medium can compriseair, a telephone communications system. The audio data signals cancomprise beeps, tones, spectrum modulation, audio watermarks, whitenoise, volume changes, or other suitable audio. Additionally, the audiodata signals can comprise metadata that indicates to the recipientcomputer an event that occurred in the source computer. The audio datasignal can comprise data for instructing the recipient computer toperform an action. For example, the action can comprise changing thedisplayed slide of a slide show presentation, displaying the name and/orlocation of a currently speaking meeting participant, displayinginformation for broadcast content, or displaying a static picture orvideo.

The present invention can make conferences and meetings more effective.For example, if participants conduct a conference-call meeting withoutcomputer-to-computer connections, the present invention can communicateaudio data signals between computers over an existing voice medium, suchas a telephone network. Accordingly, remote participants can enjoy anenhanced meeting experience by receiving data that can update slides ofa slide show presentation, identify the currently speaking participant,generate pictures or video, or provide other meaningful data to theremote participant.

These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present inventionwill become apparent from the following detailed description of theexemplary embodiments, read in conjunction with, and reference to, theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram depicting an exemplary operating environmentfor implementation of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is block diagram depicting a system for communicating audio datasignals via a communications medium according to an exemplary embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram depicting a system for communicating audiodata signals via a communications medium according to another exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram depicting a system for communicating audiodata signals via a communications medium according to another exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram depicting components of a source computer anda recipient computer according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram depicting components of a sourcecommunications device and a recipient communications device according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a system for communicating audiodata signals via a communications medium according to another exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8A is a block diagram illustrating components of a dongle accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8B is a block diagram illustrating components of a dongle accordingto another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart depicting a method for communicating audio datasignals via a communications medium according to an exemplary embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart depicting a method for generating an audio datasignal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart depicting a method for communicating voice andan audio data signal via a communications medium according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart depicting a method for receiving andinterpreting an audio data signal according to an exemplary embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram depicting a conventional method forcommunicating voice and data.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The present invention can provide a system and method for communicatingdata between computers that are not connected via a direct connection.The present invention can encode data from a source computer in an audiodata signal. The source computer can communicate the audio data signalvia the air, a telephone communications system, or other suitablecommunications medium. A recipient computer can receive the audio datasignal, extract the data from the audio data signal, and perform anaction based on the data. In an exemplary embodiment, the presentinvention can enhance meeting participation by allowing remoteparticipants to receive data via a telephone, even though the remoteparticipants are not connected to the data source via the Internet orother network.

Exemplary embodiments will be described generally in the context ofsoftware modules running in a computing environment. The processes andoperations performed by the software modules include the manipulation ofsignals by a client or server and the maintenance of those signalswithin data structures resident in one or more of local or remote memorystorage devices. Such data structures impose a physical organizationupon the collection of data stored within a memory storage device andrepresent specific electrical or magnetic elements. Those symbolicrepresentations are the means used by those skilled in the art ofcomputer programming and computer construction to effectively conveyteachings and discoveries to others skilled in the art.

The present invention also includes a computer program that embodies thefunctions described herein and illustrated in the appended flow charts.However, it should be apparent that there could be many different waysof implementing the invention in computer programming, and the inventionshould not be construed as limited to any one set of computer programinstructions. Further, a skilled programmer would be able to write sucha computer program to implement the disclosed invention based on theflow charts and associated description in the application text.Therefore, disclosure of a particular set of program code instructionsis not considered necessary for an adequate understanding of how to makeand use the invention. Furthermore, the invention can be implemented incomputer hardware the performs the inventive functionality. Theinventive functionality of the claimed computer program and hardwarewill be explained in more detail in the following description read inconjunction with the figures illustrating the program flow.

Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals represent likeelements, aspects of the present invention and exemplary operatingenvironment will be described.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram depicting an exemplary operating environment100 for implementation of the present invention. The exemplary operatingenvironment 100 comprises a general-purpose computing device in the formof a conventional personal computer 120. Generally, the personalcomputer 120 comprises a central processing unit 121, a system memory122, and a system bus 123. The system bus couples various systemcomponents including the system memory 122 to the processing unit 121.The system bus 123 can comprise any of several types of bus structures.For example, the system bus can comprise a memory bus or memorycontroller, a peripheral bus, or a local bus using any of a variety ofbus architectures. The system memory 122 comprises a read-only memory(ROM) 124 and a random access memory (RAM) 125. The ROM 124 stores abasic input/output system (BIOS) 126. The BIOS 126 comprises the basicroutines for transferring information between elements within thepersonal computer 120. For example, the BIOS 126 comprises the basicroutines for start-up of the personal computer.

The personal computer 120 further comprises a hard disk drive 127 forreading from and writing to a hard disk (not shown), a magnetic diskdrive 128 for reading from or writing to a removable magnetic disk 129such as a floppy disk, and an optical disk drive 130 for reading from orwriting to a removable optical disk 131 such as a CD-ROM or otheroptical media. The hard disk drive 127, magnetic disk drive 128, andoptical disk drive 130 are coupled to the system bus 123 by a hard diskdrive interface 132, a magnetic disk drive interface 133, and an opticaldisk drive interface 134, respectively. Although the exemplary operatingenvironment 100 employs a ROM 124, a RAM 125, a hard disk drive 127, aremovable magnetic disk 129, and a removable optical disk 131, thoseskilled in the art appreciate that other types of computer readablemedia which can store data accessible by a computer also can be used inthe exemplary operating environment 100. For example, other mediacomprise magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, digital video disks,Bernoulli cartridges, and the like. The drives and their associatedcomputer readable media can provide nonvolatile storage ofcomputer-executable instructions, data structures, program modules, andother data for the personal computer 120.

The ROM 124, RAM 125, hard disk drive 127, magnetic disk 129, or opticaldisk 131 can store a number of program modules. For example, the programmodules can comprise an operating system 135 and various applicationprograms 136-138. Program modules comprise routines, sub-routines,programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., which performparticular tasks or implement particular abstract data types.

A user can enter commands and information into the personal computer 120through input devices. The input devices can comprise a keyboard 140 anda pointing device 142. The pointing device 142 can comprise a mouse, atrackball, or an electronic pen that can be used in conjunction with anelectronic tablet. Other input devices (not shown) can comprise ajoystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, or the like. Those andother input devices can be coupled to the processing unit 121 through aserial port interface 146 coupled to the system bus 123. The inputdevices also can be coupled to the system bus 123 by other interfaces.Other interfaces can comprise a parallel port, game port, a universalserial bus (USB), or the like. Additionally, the input devices also cancomprise a microphone 163 coupled to the system bus 123 by an audioinput interface 161.

A display device 147 also can be coupled to the system bus 123 via aninterface, such as a video adapter 148. The display device 147 cancomprise a monitor. In addition to the display device 147, the personalcomputer 120 can comprise other peripheral output devices. The otherperipheral output devices can comprise a printer (not shown).Additionally, the other peripheral output devices can comprise a speaker164 coupled to the system bus 123 via an audio output interface 162.

The personal computer 120 can operate in a networked environment usinglogical connections to one or more remote computers 149. The remotecomputer 149 can comprise another personal computer, a server, a client,a router, a network PC, a peer device, or other common network node.While the remote computer 149 typically comprises many or all of theelements described above relative to the personal computer 120, only amemory storage device 150 has been illustrated in FIG. 1 for simplicity.The logical connections depicted in FIG. 1 comprise a local area network(LAN) 151 and a wide area network (WAN) 152. Such networkingenvironments are commonplace in offices, enterprise-wide computernetworks, intranets, and the Internet.

When used in a local area networking environment, the personal computer120 typically is coupled to the LAN 151 through a network interface oradapter 153. When used in a wide area networking environment, thepersonal computer 120 typically comprises a modem 154 or other means forestablishing communications over the WAN 152. The modem 154 can comprisean internal or external modem and can be coupled to the system bus 123via the serial port interface 146. In a networked environment, theremote memory storage device 150 can store the program modules depictedfor the personal computer 120, or portions thereof. Those skilled in theart appreciate that the network connections shown are exemplary and thatother means of establishing a communications link between computers canbe used.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, thepersonal computer 120 also can be coupled to a recipient computer 165via a communications medium 166. The personal computer 120 cancommunicate audio data signals via the speaker 164 for communication tothe recipient computer 165 via the communications medium 166. Therecipient computer 165 can extract data from the audio data signal andcan perform an action based on the data in the audio data signal.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention canbe implemented in other computer system configurations. For example,other computer system configurations comprise hand-held devices,multiprocessor systems, microprocessor based or programmable consumerelectronics, network personal computers, minicomputers, mainframecomputers, and the like. The invention also can be practiced indistributed computing environments in which tasks are performed byremote processing devices linked through a communications network. In adistributed computing environment, the program modules can be located inboth local and remote memory storage devices.

FIG. 2 is block diagram depicting a system 200 for communicating audiodata signals via a communications medium according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 2, thesystem 200 communicates audio data signals between locations 202, 204.For voice communications, a meeting participant at location 202communicates a voice signal 212. A source telephone 206 receives thevoice 212 and communicates the voice 212 via the communications medium214 to a recipient telephone 216 at location 204. At location 204, therecipient telephone 216 communicates the received voice 212 via itsspeaker.

In an exemplary embodiment, the communications medium 214 can comprisean audio communications medium such as a telephone communicationssystem. For example, the communications medium 214 can comprise ananalog telephone connection, a digital telephone connection, a wirelesstelephone connection, combination telephone connections, or othertelephone communications system for communicating between telephones206, 216. Accordingly, the system 200 does not require special hardwareto participate in a meeting and to receive the voice 212. Conventionaltelephones can communicate the voice 212.

The system 200 also can communicate audio data signals between locations202, 204 via the communications medium 214. The audio data signals cancomprise an event message indicating to a recipient computer theoccurrence of an action on a source computer. At location 202, a sourcecomputer 210 performs an action and determines whether to communicate anevent message indicating the performance of the action. If yes, then thesource computer generates the event message, encodes the event messagein an audio data signal 208, and communicates the audio data signal 208via its speaker. The source telephone 206 receives the audio data signal208 through its microphone and communicates the audio data signal 208via the communications medium 214 to the recipient telephone 216 atlocation 204. At location 204, the recipient telephone 216 communicatesthe received audio data signal 208 via its speaker. A recipient computer222 receives the audio data signal 208 through its microphone, extractsthe digital data of the event message from the audio data signal, andperforms an action corresponding to the event message.

As discussed above, the communications medium 214 can comprise an audiocommunications medium such as a telephone communications system.Accordingly, a remote meeting participant does not require specialhardware to participant in the meeting. Additionally, the system 200communicates the audio data signal 208 via the communications medium214. The remote meeting participant also does not require specialhardware to receive the audio data signal 208.

Any person can participate in the meeting if he has access to atelephone. The system 200 can communicate simultaneously the voice 212and the audio data signal 208 via the communications medium 214.Additionally, the system 200 communicates coherent voice 212 and audiodata signal 208. Accordingly, the meeting participant hears the coherentvoice 212 and the audio data signal 208. If the meeting participant hasaccess to a recipient computer 222, then the meeting participant canenjoy an enhanced meeting through the actions performed by the recipientcomputer 222 in response to the data in the audio data signal 208.

In another exemplary embodiment, the audio data signal 208 can comprisea signal that is not audible to the human ear, such as a low-level,spread-spectrum audio watermarking signal having a presence masked bythe voice signal. In that case, the remote meeting participant hearsonly the voice 212. If the meeting participant has access to a recipientcomputer 222, then the meeting participant can enjoy an enhanced meetingthrough the actions performed by the recipient computer 222 in responseto the instructions in the inaudible audio data signal 208. Throughoutthis specification, an “audio data signal” refers to both human-audibleand human-inaudible audio data signals.

In exemplary embodiments, the audio data signal 208 can comprise a beep,tone, spectrum modulation, volume modulation, an analog or digitalwatermark, a combination of audio signals, or other audio signals.Additionally, the audio data signal 208 can comprise white noise thatcomprises the data corresponding to the event message. Accordingly,meeting participants hear the white noise but may not hear the beeps ortones within the white noise. In one exemplary embodiment, the audiodata signal 208 can comprise preset data. In another exemplaryembodiment, the audio data signal 208 can comprise metadata or othercomplex data that communicates information from the source computer 210to the recipient computer 222.

The audio data signal 208 can comprise data corresponding to manydifferent events. In an exemplary embodiment, the source computer 210can communicate an audio data signal 208 to synchronize a slide showpresentation displayed on the source computer 210 and the recipientcomputer 222. For example, when a presenter changes the slide displayedon the source computer 210 from slide 1 to slide 2, the source computer210 identifies the changed slide as an action that requires notifyingthe recipient computer 222 to synchronize the slide show presentation.Accordingly, the source computer 210 generates an event messageindicating that the presenter changed to slide 2, encodes the eventmessage in an audio data signal 208, and communicates the audio datasignal 208 via its speaker.

The source telephone 206 receives the audio data signal 208 through itsmicrophone or a direct connection interface (for example, amicrophone/headphone jack, or an analog or digital connector) andcommunicates the audio data signal 208 through the communications medium214 to the recipient telephone 216 at the location 204. The recipienttelephone 216 communicates the audio data signal 208 via its speaker atthe location 204. A microphone on the recipient computer 202 receivesthe audio data signal 208 and extracts the event message from the audiodata signal 208. Then, the recipient computer 222 updates the displayedslide based on the event message in the audio data signal 208. Inanother exemplary embodiment, the recipient computer 222 also canreceive the audio data signal 208 from the telephone 216 via a directconnection (for example, a microphone/headphone jack, or an analog ordigital connector).

In an exemplary embodiment, the recipient computer 222 can be configuredto perform different actions based on the event message. For example, inthe slide show example discussed above, the recipient computer canchange the displayed slide 1 to slide 2 based on the event messageindicating that the presenter changed the slide. Alternatively, therecipient computer 222 can be configured to highlight the currentlydisplayed slide 2 in a list of available slides. In that case, theoperator of the recipient computer 222 can determine when to change thedisplayed slide.

In another exemplary embodiment, the source computer 210 can communicatedata for synchronizing the source computer 210 and the recipientcomputer 222. For example, when the operator of the source computer 210initiates recording of a conversation, deposition, or other sound, thesource computer 210 can communicate an audio data signal that initiatesrecording in the recipient computer 222.

The exemplary system 200 of FIG. 2 illustrates one-way communicationsflow for simplicity. However, the system 200 can provide two-waycommunications between locations 202, 204 and each computer 210, 222 canfunction as either a source computer 210 or a recipient computer 222.Additionally, any number of locations can be coupled together via thecommunications medium 214 an can receive the audio data signal from thesource computer 210.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram depicting a system 300 for communicating audiodata signals via a communications medium according to an alternativeexemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, thesystem 300 can communicate audio data signals between locations 302,304. As illustrated by the dashed line in FIG. 3, the locations 302, 304can be in the same room or within a distance that allows communicationof audible sounds between computers. The source computer 210communicates the audio data signal 208 via its speaker. The microphoneof the recipient computer 222 receives the audio data signal 208,extracts data from the audio data signal 208, and performs an actionbased on the data.

In an exemplary embodiment, the audio data signals communicated by thesystem 300 can be contained within a single room. Accordingly, thosesignals are not communicated outside of the room to interfere with othercomputer systems. That operation is in contrast to data signalscommunicated via conventional frequencies that carry from room to roomand through walls and buildings.

In an exemplary embodiment, the system 300 can update the displayedslide of a slide show presentation for each recipient computer 222located within computer-audible range of the source computer 210. Forexample, the source computer 210 can display a slide show presentationbeing provided in an auditorium. When the presenter changes the slide onthe source computer from slide 1 to slide 2, the audio data signal 208can instruct a recipient computer 222 to update the displayed slide toslide 2.

In an exemplary embodiment, the recipient computer 222 can comprise ahandheld-type computer. Accordingly, an audience member can view theslide show presentation on the handheld-type recipient computer 222 andthe audio data signal can comprise instructions to update the currentlydisplayed slide on the handheld-type computer.

In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the source computer 210 cancommunicate an audio data signal 208 that provides the actual slides ofthe slide show presentation. The recipient computer 222 can receive theaudio data signal 208 and can display the current slide on the recipientcomputer 222. The meeting participant can view the slides on therecipient computer 222 and can take notes on or change each slide.

In another exemplary embodiment, the communications medium 214 cancomprise a broadcast network. A radio or television station canbroadcast an audio data signal from the source computer 210 to alistener/viewer at the recipient location 304. A radio or television(not shown) at the recipient location can communicate the audio datasignal 208 to the recipient computer 222. The recipient computer 222 canreceive the audio data signal 208 and can display information about thebroadcast. For example, the audio data signal can comprise metadataindicating the singer and song title of the currently playing song on aradio station. The broadcast station can communicate the audio datasignal to all of its listeners/viewers. Those listeners/viewers with arecipient computer can enjoy an enhanced experience by receiving thedata in the audio data signal.

In the broadcast example discussed above, the recipient computer 222 canbe a stand alone computer that receives the audio data signalcommunicated from the radio or television. Alternatively, the recipientcomputer 222 can be integrated into the radio or television. In thatcase, the recipient computer 222 comprises a source communicationsdevice discussed in detail below with reference to FIGS. 4 and 6.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram depicting a system 400 for communicating audiodata signals via a communications medium according to another exemplaryembodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 4, thesystem 400 can communicate audio data signals between locations 402,404, and 204. In the system 400, the source computer at location 402comprises a source communications device 406. Additionally, therecipient computer at location 404 comprises a recipient communicationsdevice 410. Each communications device 406, 410 comprises components forcommunicating an audio data signal. Additionally, each communicationsdevice 406, 410 can comprise communications components, such as atelephone or broadcast equipment. The system components at location 204comprise the components discussed above with reference to FIG. 2.

For voice communications, the source communications device 406 atlocation 402 receives the voice signal 212 and communicates the voice212 via the communications medium 214 to the recipient telephone 216 atlocation 204. The recipient telephone 216 communicates the voice 212 atlocation 204 through its speaker.

The source communications device 406 also encodes an event message in anaudio data signal 208, indicating to the recipient computer 222 theoccurrence of an action. The source communications device 406communicates the audio data signal 208 via the communications medium 214to the recipient telephone 216 at location 204. At location 204, therecipient telephone 216 communicates the audio data signal 208 via itsspeaker. The recipient computer 222 receives the audio data signal 208through its microphone, extracts the event message from the audio datasignal 208, and performs an action corresponding to the event message.

The source communications device 406 also can communicate the voice 212and the audio data signal 208 via the communications medium 214 to therecipient communications device 410 at location 404. The recipientcommunications device 410 receives the voice 212 and communicates thevoice 212 via its speaker. The recipient communications device 410 alsoreceives the audio data signal 208, extracts the data of the eventmessage from the audio data signal 208, and performs an actioncorresponding to the event message.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, any person can participate in a meeting if hehas access to a telephone 216 or a recipient communications device 410comprising a telephone. The system 400 can communicate simultaneouslythe voice 212 and the audio data signal 208. Each meeting participanthears the voice 212. If the meeting participant has access to arecipient computer 222, 410, then the meeting participant can enjoy anenhanced meeting through the actions performed by the recipient computer222, 410 based on the event message in the audio data signal 208.

FIG. 4 also illustrates that the source computer (source communicationsdevice 406) can communicate with the recipient communications device 410via the network 412. The network can comprise the internet or a localarea network. In that case, the recipient computer 410 does not rely onthe audio data signal 208 to provide the enhanced meeting.

In an exemplary embodiment, the source communications device 406 cancomprise a telephone and a data generator. The data generator canproduce audio data signals for transmission to the locations 204, 404.For example, the source communications device 406 can comprise atelephone and a 360-degree video camera with a microphone arrayproviding directional identification of the currently speaking meetingparticipant. The array can detect the voice 212 at specific locationsaround its perimeter. The meeting participants can enter their name withtheir respective location around the array. When the array detects thevoice 212 from a specific location, the data generator generates anaudio data signal comprising an event message that indicates the name ofthe meeting participant producing the voice 212. Then, the sourcecommunications device 406 communicates the audio data signal 208comprising the name through the communications medium 214 to therecipient telephone 216 at location 204 and the recipient communicationsdevice 410 at location 404.

At location 204, the recipient telephone 216 communicates the audio datasignal 208 via its speaker. The microphone of the recipient computer 222receives the audio data signal 208, extracts the event message from theaudio data signal 208 to obtain the name, and performs the action ofdisplaying the name of the person providing the voice 212. At location404, the recipient communications device 410 also receives the audiodata signal 208, extracts the event message from the audio data signal208 to obtain the name, and performs the action of displaying the nameof the person providing the voice 212. Accordingly, meeting participantsat locations 204, 404 can receive information identifying the personproviding the voice 212, even though the participant is not connected tothe source communications device 406 via the network 412. The sourcecommunications device 406 also communicates the voice 212 as well asvideo to the recipient communications device 410 via the network 412.Accordingly, the meeting participant at location 404 can receive thecomplete voice and video provided by source communications device 406via the network 412.

By way of another example, a remote participant can connect to a meetingroom in which five other meeting participants communicate via a singlephone with the remote participant. The phone can comprise a 360-degreevideo camera with a microphone array providing directionalidentification of the currently speaking meeting participant. Becausethe remote participant only has a telephone connection, he only receivesthe voice from the telephone video camera. With five participants in thesource location, the remote participant may not be able to determine whois currently speaking. However, the microphone array does providespeaker location information (by using a sound source localizationtechnique). At the beginning of the meeting, the remote participantlaunches an application program and asks the five other meetingparticipants where they sit in the room around the microphone array. Theremote participant assigns five names (or pictures or face icons) tothose locations in a virtual meeting room inside the application. Duringthe meeting, the video camera/microphone array communicates to theremote person the voice and an audio data signal indicating thecurrently speaking participant location. The application program at theremote location can highlight the person's name/icon who is talkingbased on the location information. Accordingly, the remote participantenjoys an enhanced meeting experience by receiving the data from theaudio data signal. Even without assigning the participant names to theirlocations, the remote participant can enjoy a better experience. Theapplication program can highlight the location of the sound source.Then, the remote participant can make an association with thehighlighted location and the speaking participant.

In another exemplary embodiment, the audio data signal can comprise datafor a static picture or video taken by a camera or video camera.Accordingly, the meeting participants at locations 204, 404 can viewstatic pictures or video without a network connection to the videocamera.

In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the audio data signal cancomprise a slice of video taken by a camera or a video camera. Forexample, if the directional microphone detects a voice signal comingfrom a location represented at 100 degrees, then a slice of the 360degree signal around 100 degrees (for example, 70 degrees to 130degrees) can be communicated via the audio data signal. The remoteparticipant can view a picture or video that appears as if the camera isaimed at the current speaker. Additionally, the video signal can becontrolled to prevent the video from jumping if the current speakerchanges rapidly.

In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the source communications device406 can comprise a telephone having a 360-degree microphone providingdirectional identification of the currently speaking meetingparticipant. In that case, the system operates as described above forthe 360-degree video camera except for the video communication via thenetwork 412.

In another exemplary embodiment, the data generator of each sourcecommunications device can communicate an audio data signal identifyingthe respective source communications device currently communicatingvoice from a meeting participant. Additionally, each meeting participantcan program his source communications device to associate his name withthe respective source communications device at his location. Then, eachsource communications device can communicate an audio data signalcomprising the currently speaking participant's name for display on eachrecipient computer. Accordingly, speaking participants can be identifiedby name or location even if many participants are included at differentlocations.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram depicting components of the source computer210 and the recipient computer 222 according to an exemplary embodimentof the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the source computer210 and the recipient computer 222 can comprise components for two-waycommunication that allow both computers to send and receive audio datasignals. The source and recipient computers 210, 222 comprise anapplication program 136. In the source computer 210, the applicationprogram 136 performs an action and communicates an event message to anapplication program interface (“API”) transcoder 506. The transcoder 506determines whether to notify the recipient computer 222 of the performedaction. If not, then the transcoder 506 waits to receive another eventmessage from the application program 136. If the transcoder 506determines to notify the recipient computer 222 of the performed action,then the transcoder 506 communicates the event message to an encoder508.

As indicated by the dashed line 512 in FIG. 5, the encoder 508 monitorsaudio output by the application program 136 through the API play module536 b. The encoder 508 monitors the application program's 136 output todetermine the proper timing for overlaying an audio data signal with theapplication program's 136 audio. Additionally, some encoding algorithmsoperate by modifying input data. Accordingly, by monitoring theapplication program's 136 output, the encoder 508 can use any encodingmethod to encode the event message into an audio data signal. Theencoder 508 can encode the event message through any suitable method.

The encoder 508 encodes the digital event message into an audio datasignal. When appropriate, the encoder 508 communicates the audio datasignal to a mixer 510. The mixer 510 overlays the audio data signal onthe application program's 136 output through any suitable technique,such as spread spectrum modulation of phase, frequency, amplitude,volume, or other suitable method. The mixer 510 communicates the audiodata signal and the application program's 136 output to the audio outputinterface 162. The audio output interface 162 communicates the audiodata signal and the application program's output via the speaker 164.

For the recipient computer 222, the microphone 163 receives the audiodata signal and the voice 212 (and any output from the applicationprogram 136) and passes the audio data signal and voice to the audioinput interface 161. The audio input interface 161 communicates theaudio data signal and the voice 212 to a splitter 502. The splitter 502passes the voice 212 to the API record module 536 a. The API recordmodule 536 a can record the voice 212 for the application program 136.Alternatively, the API record module 536 a can disregard the voice 212.

The splitter 502 passes the audio data signal to a decoder 504. Thedecoder 504 extracts the event message from the audio data signal 208and passes the decoded data to the transcoder 506. The transcoder 506interprets the event message and instructs the application program 136to perform an action corresponding to the event message according to theapplication program's 136 configuration.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the mixer 510 and thesplitter 502 are illustrated as separate components. In an alternativeexemplary embodiment, the encoder 508 and the decoder 504 can comprisethe mixer 510 and the splitter 502, respectively.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram depicting components of a sourcecommunications device 406 and a recipient communications device 410according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As asource communications device 406, a data generator 612 performs anaction and communicates an event message to the transcoder 614. Thetranscoder determines whether to notify a recipient computer of theperformed action. If not, then the transcoder 614 waits for anotherevent message from the data generator 612. If the transcoder 614 willnotify a recipient computer, then the transcoder 614 communicates theevent message to an encoder 616. The encoder 616 encodes the eventmessage in an audio data signal and communicates the audio data signalto a mixer 604. The mixer 604 mixes the audio data signal with voicereceived through a microphone 602. From the mixer 604, the system 600communicates the combined audio data signal and voice via thecommunications medium 214.

As a recipient communications device 410, a splitter 608 receives thecombined audio data signal and voice via the communications medium 214.The splitter 608 communicates the voice to the location 406 through thespeaker 610. The splitter 608 also passes the audio data signal to adecoder 618. The decoder 618 extracts the event message from the audiodata signal and communicates the event message to the transcoder 614.The transcoder 614 interprets the event message and instructs a datadisplay 620 to perform an action corresponding to the event message.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a system 700 for communicatingaudio data signals via a communications medium according to anotherexemplary embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 7,the system 700 includes the components described above with reference toFIG. 2. The system 700 also includes a source dongle 702 at location202. The dongle 702 receives the voice 212 from the source telephone 206via connection 705. The dongle 702 also receives the event message orthe audio data signal 208 from a direct connection 706 with the sourcecomputer 210.

If the dongle 702 receives the audio data signal 208 from the sourcecomputer 210, then the dongle 702 combines the voice 212 and the audiodata signal 208 and communicates the combined audio through thecommunications medium 214 to the recipient telephone 216 at location204. If the dongle 702 receives the event message from the sourcecomputer 210, then the dongle 702 encodes the event message in an audiodata signal 208, combines the voice 212 and the audio data signal 208,and communicates the combined audio through the communications medium214 to the recipient telephone 216 at location 204. The operation of thecomponents at location 204 is the same as the operations described abovefor the system 200 of FIG. 2.

As shown in location 704 of FIG. 7, a recipient dongle 708 also can beprovided at the recipient location. The dongle 708 communicates thevoice 212 to the recipient telephone 716 via connection 709. The dongle708 also communicates the audio data signal 208 or the event message viaconnection 710 to the recipient computer 222. In an exemplaryembodiment, the dongle 708 communicates the audio data signal 208 to therecipient computer 222 via the connection 710. Then, the recipientcomputer 222 extracts the event message from the audio data signal 208and performs an action based on the event message. In an alternativeexemplary embodiment, the dongle 708 extracts the event message from theaudio data signal 208 and communicates the event message to therecipient computer 222 via the connection 710. Then, the recipientcomputer 222 performs an action based on the event message.

The dongle 702 communicates the voice 212 and the audio data signal 208as coherent sound over the communications medium 214. Accordingly, anyperson can participate in the meeting if he has access to a telephone.The system 700 can communicate simultaneously the voice 212 and theaudio data signal 208. The meeting participant hears the voice 212 andthe audio data signal 208. If the meeting participant has access to arecipient computer 222, then the meeting participant can enjoy anenhanced meeting through the actions performed by the recipient computer222 in response to the event message in the audio data signal 208.

FIG. 8A is a block diagram illustrating components of a dongle 702 a,708 a according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Asshown, a single dongle can comprise both send and receive components. Asillustrated in FIG. 8A, the source dongle 702 a comprises an encoder 804that receives the event message from the source computer 210 viaconnection 706. The encoder 804 encodes the event message in the audiodata signal 208 and communicates the audio data signal 208 to a mixer806. The mixer 806 receives the voice 212 from the source telephone 206via the connection 705 and the audio data signal 208 from the encoder804 and communicates the combined voice 212 and audio data signal 208via the communications medium 214.

A splitter 808 in the recipient dongle 708 a receives the voice 212 andthe audio data signal via the communications medium 214. The splitterpasses the voice 212 to the recipient telephone 216 via connection 709.The splitter 808 also passes the audio data signal 208 to a decoder 810.The decoder 810 extracts the event message from the audio data signal208 and communicates the event message to the recipient computer 222 viaconnection 710.

FIG. 8B is a block diagram illustrating components of a dongle 702 b,708 b according to another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. As shown, a single dongle can comprise both send and receivecomponents. As illustrated in FIG. 8B, the source dongle 702 b comprisesa mixer 806. The mixer 806 receives the voice 212 from the sourcetelephone 206 via the connection 705 and the audio data signal 208 froman encoder in the source computer 210 via the connection 706 andcommunicates the combined voice 212 and audio data signal 208 via thecommunications medium 214.

A splitter 808 in the recipient dongle 708 b receives the voice 212 andthe audio data signal 208 via the communications medium 214. Thesplitter passes the voice 212 to the recipient telephone 216 viaconnection 709. The splitter 808 also passes the audio data signal 208to a decoder in the recipient computer 222 via connection 710.

As illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B, various components of the source andrecipient computers 210, 222 can be implemented in a separate hardwareor software module executing within the system 700.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart depicting a method 900 for communicating audiodata signals via a communications medium according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention. In step 905, a meeting participantcommunicates voice 212 by speaking, playing voice audio, or othersuitable means. In step 910, a source computer 210, 406 generates anaudio data signal for instructing a recipient computer 222, 410 toperform an action based on an event message in the audio data signal. Instep 915, the source telephone 206, source communications device 406, ordongle 702 communicates the voice 212 and audio data signal 208 via thecommunications medium 214. Then, in step 920, the recipient computer222, 410 receives and interprets the audio data signal to perform theidentified action.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart depicting a method 910 for generating an audiodata signal according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, as referred to in step 910 of FIG. 9. In step 1005, theapplication program 136, or data generator 612, performs an action andgenerates an event message for the performed action in step 1010. Instep 1015, the transcoder 506, 614 receives the event message from theapplication program 136 or data generator 612, and determines whether tonotify the recipient computer 222, 410 of the performed action. In anexemplary embodiment, the transcoder 506, 614 determines whether tonotify one or more of multiple recipient computers. If not, then thetranscoder 506, 614 waits to receive another event message from theapplication program 136. If yes, then the transcoder 506, 614communicates the event message to the encoder 508, 616, 804, and theencoder 508, 616, 804 encodes the event message in an audio data signal208 in step 1020. In step 1025, the encoder 508, 616, 804 outputs theaudio data signal 208 to the mixer. The method then proceeds to step 915(FIG. 9).

FIG. 11 is a flow chart depicting a method 915 for communicating thevoice 212 and the audio data signal 208 via the communications medium214 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, asreferred to in step 915 of FIG. 9. In steps 1105 and 1110, the mixerreceives the audio data signal 208 and the voice 212, respectively. Inan exemplary embodiment, the mixer receives the audio data signal andthe voice 212 simultaneously. Then, in step 1115, the mixer combines thevoice 212 and the audio data signal 208. In step 1120, the mixer outputsthe combined audio data signal and voice 212 in real time. The methodthen proceeds to step 920 (FIG. 9).

In an exemplary embodiment, the mixer comprises a telephone thatreceives all sounds communicated to its microphone and communicatesthose sounds via the communications medium 214. In alternative exemplaryembodiments, the source communications device or phone dongle cancomprise the mixer that communicates the voice 212 and the audio datasignal 208 via the communications medium 214.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart depicting a method 920 for receiving andinterpreting the audio data signal according to an exemplary embodimentof the present invention, as referred to in step 920 of FIG. 9. In step1205, the splitter of the recipient computer 222, 410, 808 splits theaudio data signal 208 from the voice 212 and passes the audio datasignal 208 to the decoder 504, 618, 810. In step 1210, the decoder 504,618, 810 extracts the event message from the audio data signal andcommunicates the event message to the transcoder 506, 614 of therecipient computer 222, 410. In step 1215, the transcoder 506, 614determines the instructions for causing the application program 136 ordata display 620 to perform an action based on the event message fromthe audio data signal. Then, in step 1220, the transcoder 506, 614instructs the application program 136 or data display 620 to perform theaction.

The present invention can be used with computer hardware and softwarethat performs the methods and processing functions described above. Aswill be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the systems, methods,and procedures described herein can be embodied in a programmablecomputer, computer executable software, hardware, or digital circuitry.The software can be stored on computer readable media. For example,computer readable media can comprise a floppy disk, RAM, ROM, hard disk,removable media, flash memory, memory stick, optical media,magneto-optical media, CD-ROM, etc. Digital circuitry can includeintegrated circuits, gate arrays, building block logic, fieldprogrammable gate arrays (FPGA), etc.

Although specific embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed above in detail, the description is merely for purposes ofillustration. Various modifications of, and equivalent stepscorresponding to, the disclosed aspects of the exemplary embodiments, inaddition to those described above, can be made by those skilled in theart without departing from the spirit and scope of the present inventiondefined in the following claims, the scope of which is to be accordedthe broadest interpretation so as to encompass such modifications andequivalent structures.

1. A source computing system for communicating audio data signals, comprising: a first portion that determines that an event occurring at the source computing system is to be communicated; a second portion that communicates an audio data signal for combination with a voice signal to produce coherent sound that is communicated via an audio communications medium, the audio data signal indicative of the event and comprising data generated by the source computing system; a telephone that receives the voice signal and communicates the voice signal; and a dongle that receives the voice signal communicated from the telephone and the audio data signal communicated from the source computing system, combines the voice signal and the audio data signal to produce the coherent sound, and communicates the coherent sound via the audio communications medium.
 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the audio communications medium comprises air.
 3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the audio communications medium comprises a telephone communications system.
 4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the source computing system comprises a speaker that communicate the audio data signal.
 5. The system according to claim 4, wherein the source computing system further comprises: a source application program that generates the data; a source transcoder that determines whether to communicate the generated data to a recipient computing system and that forwards the generated data in response to a determination to communicate the generated data to the recipient computing system; and an encoder logically coupled to the source transcoder that converts the generated data into the audio data signal and outputs the audio data signal to the speaker.
 6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the recipient computing system comprises a microphone that receives the audio data signal.
 7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the recipient computing system further comprises: a decoder that extracts the generated data from the audio data signal; a transcoder logically coupled to the decoder that interprets the data from the audio data signal and issues an instruction to perform an action based on the data from the audio data signal; and a recipient application program that performs the action corresponding to the instruction.
 8. The system according to claim 1, further comprising: a source telephone that receives the audio data signal communicated by the source computing system and the voice signal, combines the audio data signal and the voice signal to produce the coherent sound, and communicates the coherent sound via the audio communications medium.
 9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the audio data signal comprises one of a beep, tone, watermark, spectrum modulation, volume change, and white noise.
 10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the source computing system comprises a source communications device.
 11. The system according to claim 5, wherein the recipient computing system comprises at least one of a camera, video camera, directional microphone array, and telephone.
 12. The system according to claim 5, further comprising: a recipient dongle that receives the coherent sound communicated via the audio communications medium, separates the voice signal and the audio data signal, and communicates the audio data signal to the recipient computing system.
 13. The system according to claim 1, wherein the source computing system comprises at least one of a camera, video camera, directional microphone array, and telephone.
 14. A system for communicating audio data signals, comprising: a source computing system that communicates generated data in response to performing an action; a source telephone that receives a voice signal and communicates the voice signal; and a source dongle that receives the voice signal from the source telephone and the generated data from the source computing system, the source computing system having determined to communicate the generated data, converts the generated data into an audio data signal comprising the generated data, combines the voice signal and the audio data signal to produce coherent sound, and communicates the coherent sound via an audio communications medium.
 15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the coherent sound is communicated to a recipient computing system comprising a recipient dongle that receives the coherent sound communicated via the audio communications medium, separates the voice signal and the audio data signal, extracts the generated data from the audio data signal, and communicates an instruction to the recipient computer based on the generated data.
 16. The system according to claim 14, wherein the audio communications medium comprises air.
 17. The system according to claim 14, wherein the audio communications medium comprises a telephone communications system.
 18. The system according to claim 14, wherein the audio data signal comprises one of a beep, tone, watermark, spectrum modulation, volume change, and white noise.
 19. The system according to claim 14, wherein the dongle comprises: an encoder that converts the generated data into the audio data signal; and a mixer that combines the audio data signal and the voice signal to produce the coherent sound and that outputs the coherent sound for communication via the audio communications medium.
 20. The system according to claim 14, wherein the coherent sound is communicated to a recipient computing system comprising a recipient dongle that receives the coherent sound communicated via the audio communications medium, separates the voice signal and the audio data signal, and communicates the audio data signal to the recipient computer.
 21. A recipient computing system for receiving data signals, comprising: a first portion that receives an audio data signal from coherent sound, the coherent sound comprising the audio data signal combined with a voice signal and communicated via an audio communications medium, the audio data signal comprising data generated by a source communications device and determined by a source computing system to be communicated to the recipient computing system; and a second portion that performs an action based on generated data in the audio data signal.
 22. The system according to claim 21, wherein the source communications device comprises at least one of a camera, video camera, directional microphone array, and telephone.
 23. The system according to claim 21, wherein the audio communications medium comprises air.
 24. The system according to claim 21, wherein the audio communications medium comprises a telephone communications system.
 25. The system according to claim 21, wherein the source communications device comprises a telephone.
 26. The system according to claim 21, wherein the recipient computing system comprises a microphone that receives the audio data signal.
 27. The system according to claim 26, wherein the recipient computing system further comprises: a decoder that extracts the generated data from the audio data signal; a recipient transcoder logically coupled to the decoder that issues an instruction to perform an action based on the generated data; and a recipient application program that performs the action based on the instruction.
 28. The system according to claim 21, wherein the recipient computing system comprises at least one of a camera, video camera, directional microphone array, and telephone.
 29. The system according to claim 21, wherein the recipient computing system comprises a recipient communications device.
 30. The system according to claim 29, wherein the recipient communications device comprises: a decoder that extracts the generated data from the audio data signal; a recipient transcoder logically coupled to the decoder that issues an instruction to perform an action based on the generated data; and a data display that performs the action corresponding to the instruction.
 31. A method for communicating data signals, comprising: determining that an event should be communicated to a computing system to cause the computing system to perform an action; generating an audio data signal comprising data corresponding to the event; combining the audio data signal with a voice signal to produce coherent sound; and communicating the coherent sound via an audio communications medium.
 32. The method according to claim 31, wherein the generating step comprises: performing an action; generating the data comprising an event message corresponding to the action; and converting the data into the audio data signal.
 33. A device for communicating audio data signals, comprising: a component that generates data corresponding to an event; a transcoder that determines whether to communicate the generated data; and an encoder logically coupled to the transcoder that, when the transcoder determines to communicate the generated data, converts the generated data into an audio data signal and that outputs the audio data signal for combination with a voice signal into coherent sound that is communicated via an audio communications medium.
 34. The device according to claim 33, further comprising a mixer that combines the audio data signal and the voice signal into the coherent sound.
 35. The device according to claim 33, wherein the audio communications medium comprises air.
 36. The device according to claim 33, wherein the audio communications medium comprises a telephone communications system.
 37. The device according to claim 33, wherein the audio data signal comprises one of a beep, tone, watermark, spectrum modulation, volume change, and white noise.
 38. The device according to claim 33, wherein the device comprises at least one of a camera, video camera, directional microphone array, dongle, and telephone.
 39. A device for receiving audio data signals, comprising: a splitter that receives coherent sound comprising a voice signal and an audio data signal and separates the voice signal and the audio data signal, the audio data signal comprising data corresponding to an event; a decoder that receives the audio data signal from the splitter and that extracts the data from the audio data signal; and a transcoder logically coupled to the decoder that interprets the data from the audio data signal and issues an instruction that causes a software component to perform an action based on the data from the audio data signal.
 40. The device according to claim 39, wherein the audio communications medium comprises air.
 41. The device according to claim 39, wherein the audio communications medium comprises a telephone communications system.
 42. The device according to claim 39, wherein the audio data signal comprises one of a beep, tone, watermark, spectrum modulation, volume change, and white noise.
 43. The device according to claim 39, wherein the device comprises at least one of a camera, video camera, directional microphone array, dongle, and telephone.
 44. The device according to claim 39, wherein the software component is a presentation graphics application.
 45. The device according to claim 39, wherein the software component is a videoconferencing application.
 46. An encoder for communicating audio data signals, comprising: a first portion that converts generated data corresponding to an event into an audio data signal, the generated data determined by a transcoder to be communicated; and a second portion that outputs the audio data signal for combination with a voice signal to produce coherent sound that is communicated via an audio communications medium.
 47. The encoder according to claim 46, wherein the audio data signal comprises one of a beep, tone, watermark, spectrum modulation, volume change, and white noise.
 48. The encoder according to claim 46, wherein the encoder comprises at least one of a camera, video camera, directional microphone array, dongle, and telephone.
 49. The encoder according to claim 46, further comprising a mixer that combines the audio data signal and the voice signal into the coherent sound. 